Saturday, March 30, 2013

8:00 p.m. A.N.T. Farm “idANTity crisis”After noticing that her friends have become oddly respectful of Principal
Skidmore, Chyna discovers that she has been manipulating the ANTs with a frozen
yogurt machine. Meanwhile, Lexi is disturbed by a recurring nightmare where she
has a crush on Cameron.

8:30 p.m. Jessie “To Be Me, or Not To Be Me”Jessie gets her first big acting part in a Shakespeare production in the park —
however, she ends up switching personalities with Zuri, who must now pull off
Jessie’s performance without ruining it for her.

Sunday, April 7

8:00 p.m. Dog With A Blog “Freaky Fido”When Avery’s teacher challenges her to have fun on her next school project, she
decides to film a “Freaky Friday” type of movie, since Stan really talks.

8:30 p.m. Austin & Ally “Freaky Friends & Fan
Fiction”Dez buys an antique typewriter from Trish to use for a story writing
competition, only to discover that it’s magical, and anything he writes
actually happens.

9:00 p.m. Shake It Up “Switch It Up”CeCe and Flynn accidentally switch bodies through an old curse of Tinka’s
grandma. When they learn they’re stuck that way for 24 hours, or until they
learn a lesson, they realize Flynn will have to dance for CeCe on “Shake It Up
Chicago!” and CeCe will have to learn tuba and nail Flynn’s audition for the
marching band. Meanwhile, Ty thinks Rocky is trying to kill him since he didn’t
put her in that week’s dance.

Friday, April 19

8:30 p.m. Jessie “Why Do Foils Fall in Love?”Jessie decides to write Tony a song for their first anniversary. However, when
she thinks Tony forgot their special day, she ends up writing an angry song
that ends up going viral on Emma’s vlog. Meanwhile, Ravi is miserable over his
many gym class failures, so Luke decides to help him build his self-esteem by
letting Ravi finally win at something.

Friday, April 26

8:00 p.m. A.N.T. Farm “restaurANTeur”Olive is instantly smitten with a talented young chef now working at IHOW, but
when he joins the A.N.T. program, they discover Olive’s new crush is actually a
bit conceited. Meanwhile, when Lexi learns that some major pop stars got their
start as singing waitresses, she asks Hippo if the wait staff can sing at IHOW.

8:30 p.m. Jessie “Kids Don’t Wanna Be Shunned”Emma is upset when her friends stand her up for the new girl in school.
Meanwhile, Luke has Ravi help him with his project about India for their school’s
multicultural night.

Sunday, April 28

7:30 p.m. Good Luck Charlie “Duncan Dream House”After the family home is devastated by termites, the Duncan Family decides to
build their dream house, which excites everyone but Charlie. However, Teddy has
a change of heart after a dream in which Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie
Bear and Animal convince her that the old family home is really the house of
her dreams.Guest Starring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Animal.

8:00 p.m. Dog With A Blog “Guess Who’s A Cheerleader”Stan voices his concerns about Avery’s lack of loyalty after she makes the
cheerleading squad and begins to distance herself from Lyndsay. Meanwhile,
Bennett and Tyler get stuck in the storage shed after a father/son fishing
trip, and Chloe builds an awesome fort in the kitchen.

8:30 p.m. Shake It Up “Love and War It Up”Now that they’re no longer going to be related, Rocky tries to convince CeCe
and Logan to get along so that she and Logan can date. CeCe finally agrees to
try, but Logan just can’t do it. Meanwhile, Flynn and Deuce invite Tinka to be
the lead singer in their air guitar band.

Actress Bella Thorne
has just landed a record deal with Hollywood Records, who will be
releasing her debut single later this year. The 15-year-old Disney star,
who is best known for her role as CeCe Jones in "Shake It Up", will
begin recording over the summer. Hollywood Records also has Bella's
"Shake It Up" co-star Zendaya Coleman on their roster, as well as the likes of Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. We'd say she was in good company...

In typical Bella style,
she celebrated the deal with a little game of ping pong, wearing a
bright pink top and a pair of jeans. With her relaxed, playful approach
to just about everything, we're sure she'll go far!

She might be just a teenager, but Bella Thorne is not to be
underestimated. We see her on the red carpet on a very regular basis
and, every time, she manages to keep up with and, on occasion, outshine a
lot of more experienced celebrities. Take her gorgeous repertoire of red-carpet hairstyles for instance. This girl is not messing around when it comes to her beauty looks!

She also has her own blog, a large portion of which is devoted to
nail art. So, should you find yourself lacking in inspiration for your
next manicure, we suggest you take a look.

Stay tuned because we have a sneaking suspicion this girl's career is
about to explode and, when it does, you can be sure she'll look
fantastic.

Friday, March 29, 2013

DISNEY CHANNEL ORDERS THIRD SEASON OF THE POPULAR COMEDY SERIES FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES, “JESSIE”

– Molly Shannon, Kate Flannery and James Patrick Stuart

Guest Star in the Season Two Finale –

Jessie and the Ross kids will return for a third season in the popular
comedy series for kids and families "Jessie," it was announced today by
Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney
Channels Worldwide. Production resumes in Los Angeles in July. Season 3
is scheduled to premiere in fall 2013.

2013 to-date, "Jessie" is TV's #1 series in its time period among Kids
2-11, Kids 6-11 and Tweens. For 2012, it was the #2 TV series among Kids
2-11 and Kids 6-11 and #3 among Tweens. Bonnett said, “Season 3 of ‘Jessie’ will continue to spotlight the
impressive comedic talents of Debby Ryan.” He continued, “Our viewers
deeply connect with this cast of characters, and the upcoming season
will focus on the Ross kids beginning to navigate young adulthood while
challenging their favorite nanny with new and entertaining situations.”

In the season two finale airing this September, Molly Shannon
(“Saturday Night Live”) guest stars as Jessie’s stepmother-to-be. The
storyline finds an excited Jessie returning to Texas with the Ross kids
in tow. She shows the kids the military base where she was raised and
introduces them to her father — only to learn the surprising news that
he is engaged to be married. Also guest starring are James Patrick
Stuart (“Supernatural”) as Jessie’s dad, Lt. Colonel John Wayne “J.W.”
Prescott and Kate Flannery (“The Office”) as Corporal Cookie.Set in bustling New York City, Jessie is a nanny for the high-profile
Ross Family– 14-year-old Emma, the biological child of the bunch,
11-year-old Indian adoptee Ravi, 12-year-old American adoptee Luke and
eight-year-old African adoptee Zuri. Helping her to navigate
young-adulthood are Bertram, the family’s beloved, yet frosty butler,
and Tony, her boyfriend and the building’s doorman.

The live-action comedy series was created by Pamela Eells O’Connell
(“Family Matters,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” “The Suite Life
on Deck”), who serves as executive producer. Debby Ryan is a
co-producer.

New episodes of “Jessie” air FRIDAYS on Disney Channel. The series is a production of It’s A Laugh Productions, Inc and carries a TV-G parental guideline.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television
network that taps into the world of kids and families through original
series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million
U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around
the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

In "The Wizards Return: Alex vs Alex," the Russo family and friends
travel to Tuscany, Italy, to meet their long lost relatives... but when
Alex (Gomez) tries to prove she's more than a seemingly carefree young
Wizard, she inadvertently conjures a spell that creates a Good Alex and
an Evil Alex. When Evil Alex gets roped into a charming young wizard's
foreboding plan to take over the world, Good Alex must find a way to
save her family and humankind, which leads to a monumental battle
between the two versions of herself - all atop the Tower of Pisa.

Young Hollywood joins the cast of Disney XD's "Kickin' It" on location in
Scotland!! Okay, on a Scotland set anyway... Stars Leo Howard, Dylan
Riley, Jason Earles, Olivia Holt, and Mateo Arias change out of their
kilts to sit down for a chat with us about Season 3 of the hit show, fan
encounters, and a playful round of "Kickin' It or Kick Them To The
Curb?"! Plus, Leo and Matteo have a dance-off! Hosted by Jessica Smith
(@jesssouthern). "Kickin' It" Season 3 premieres Monday, April 1 at 8:30
p.m. ET/PT..

Dove Cameron, the 17-year-old upcoming Disney Channel star who will star in Disney Channel’s new series “Liv
& Maddie” and DCOM “Cloud 9,” tweeted a photo of the Liv & Maddie cast on her official twitter page (@DoveCameron), additionally tweeting:

In Liv & Maddie 17-year-old newcomer Dove Cameron plays the dual role of
identical twins in this upcoming sitcom. Ms. Cameron will also star in
“Cloud 9,” a Disney Channel Original Movie premiering in 2014 (see
below). The series was created by John Beck and Ron Hart (both of
“According to Jim”). John Peaslee, Andy Fickman (“The Game Plan,” “Race
to Witch Mountain”) and Betsy Sullenger are also executive producers.
Cameron plays identical twins — an outstanding student and school
basketball phenomenon whose popularity is on the rise until her twin
sister, a television star, makes a triumphant return to their Wisconsin
high school. Also starring are: Benjamin King, Kali Rocha, Joey Bragg
and Tenzing Norgay Trainor.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

In the Disney Channel original movie, Teen Beach Movie, teen
surfers McKenzie and Brady are magically transported into a 1960’s beach
movie. They figure they just need to blend in until they can find a way
to get back home. However, blending isn’t easily done when everyone
around them routinely breaks into song and dance seemingly for no
reason. And when they accidentally interfere with the plot of the movie
and make the romantic leads Tanner and Lela fall for them instead, it
looks like they might be stuck for good.

While the movie will premiere on Disney Channel on July 19, the
soundtrack will be available on July 16 and is currently available for
pre-order from Amazon.com. The track list is as follows:

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Girl Meets World began filming for the very first time from March 20 till March 22. Ben Savage, who reprises his role as Cory Matthews in the upcoming Disney Channel series, which is a sequel to Disney's popular sitcom Boy Meets World, tweeted on his official twitter page (@BenSavage) the day before filming (March 21) a behind the scenes photo of the Girl Meets World set with the caption:

The newly cast Cast Members for Girl Meets World also contributed to sharing the news, with Rowan Blanchard, who plays Riley Matthews, the daughter of Cory and Topanga tweeting on her official twitter page (@rowblanchard):

Why? Because today was the OK! Google+ Hangout with Danielle Fishel!
Did you find time to fit this gem in your schedule? It was the event
we've all been waiting for—and we are tickled to announce that it was a
major Google+ Hangout moment.

Prepare to be amazed by the cutest (and we literally the CUTEST)
Mother/Daughter moment you have ever witnessed. We were all hanging out
with the bubbly and bright Danielle Fishel when, all of a sudden, two little celebs popped their heads in the dressing-room door.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Debby Ryan may not be a household name right now, but you can bet she will be in a year.

The vivacious 19-year-old is the Disney Channel's newest golden girl,
with hit movies, music and her own TV show. Ryan stars on the wildly
popular 'tween sitcom "Jessie," in which she plays a young girl from
Texas who moves to New York City to chase her dreams in the
entertainment industry and ends up becoming a nanny for four children.

But unlike Disney starlets who came before her, Ryan tries to keep her
distance from the tabloid spotlight. On a Friday night, you'll find her
at home with her makeup off, jamming out with her band and eating Taco
Bell (she's a big fan of the Doritos Locos taco), not hitting a
nightclub.

"I leave Debby Ryan at work the same way I leave the script at work,"
she told ABCNews.com. "I go home and watch people falling off of ATVs on
'Ridiculousness' on MTV."

Ryan doesn't play into the "crazy," as she calls it. She gets
uncomfortable in front of large groups of people screaming her name and
taking her picture, making red carpet events "stressful." The young star
also credits her strong self awareness and tight group of loyal family
and friends for helping her keep a level head.

"You need to have people who are not afraid to fight you," she said.
"You need to fight yourself in order to be the person you ultimately
want to be one day."

Ryan also has an insane amount of determination. She got her first major
acting gig on "Barney & Friends" before scoring the role of Bailey
on Disney's "The Suite Life on Deck." Now she hopes to transition into
more adult roles, including indie films and maybe even some
screenwriting.

But climbing trees with her brother Chase while growing up gave Ryan a
love of adventure and a desire to do action films like "Lara Croft: Tomb
Raider" or "Colombiana."

But at the end of the day, Ryan said, she loves making people laugh and
any episode of "Jessie" shows her comedic timing, which rivals that of
Lucille Ball, one of her idols. She also has the red hair to go with it.

"I would love to have the career of an Emma Stone/Sandra Bullock, a
little bit kick butt but also artistic with blockbusters and features,"
she said. "I love variety and that's the fun part of being an actor. I
don't understand the people who play the same character over and over."

Unlike Stone and Bullock, Ryan's career will also most likely be filled
with music. She has recorded songs for "Jessie," "Suite Life" and her
2012 Disney Channel movie, "Radio Rebel," and in her spare time she
loves to write original songs, a process she says gives her butterflies.

"I always joke that acting is my spouse and singing is like my lover,"
she said. "I go every day and act and it feels very fulfilling for me
and it's definitely a part of me and then there's a secret rush behind
closed doors with my music."

No matter what Ryan's future holds, she has big plans for it. And if you
ever see her at the Oscars, plan on her pulling a Jennifer Lawrence in
front of her Hollywood crush when she goes up to accept her Best Actress
statue.

"When I'm at the Oscars I will be definitely be throwing myself on the stairs in front of Hugh Jackman," she said.Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Ben Savage, who reprises his role as Cory Matthews in the upcoming Disney Channel series Girl Meets World, which is a sequel to Disney's popular sitcom Boy Meets World, tweeted on his official twitter page (@BenSavage) a behind the scenes photo of the Girl Meets World set with the caption:

Girl Meets World which begins shooting TODAY picks up where "Boy Meets World" left off. Riley
Mathews, the preteen daughter of Cory and Topanga who married on the
original series, tells the story from her point of view. Riley attends a
school where hew father is also one of her teachers, and her brother is
one grade above her - and often reminds her that he is also one grade
higher in life's experiences. If opposites attract, then Riley's
relationship with her best friend Maya is a perfect example. Riley is a
happy, optimistic, cheery, and high spirited 13 year old girl with great
parents - while Maya is a not-so-trusting pessimistic girl who has
never met her father. Regardless, the two are immensely loyal to each
other as friends.

Disney Channel's Sunday night episode premiere of the Austin & Ally episode titled "Partners & Parachutes" gained 4.380 million viewers, making it it's 3rd most watched episode ever, which aired at 8.00pm.
In the episode, after talking to her mom and Trish about Austin, Ally decides to focus on her
music career now that she’s conquered her stage fright. Meanwhile, Austin is
unsure about his friendship with Kira.

Disney Channel’s one-hour television event, “The Wizards Return: Alex
vs. Alex” (8:00 – 9:00 p.m.), cast a ratings spell across the nation,
delivering 5.9 million Total Viewers, 2.9 million Kids 2-11, 2.3 million
Kids 6-11 and 2.2 million Tweens 9-14, ranking as Friday’s #1 TV
telecast across the major youth demos. In fact, the special became the
#1 cable TV telecast of 2013 to date in Tweens 9-14, the #2 cable TV
telecast in Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11, and the #1 kids’ cable TV telecast
in Total Viewers.The storyline saw the Russo family and friends travel to Tuscany,
Italy, to meet their long lost relatives… but when Alex (Gomez) tried to
prove she’s more than a seemingly carefree young Wizard, she
inadvertently conjured a spell that created a Good Alex and an Evil
Alex. When Evil Alex was roped into a charming young wizard’s foreboding
plan to take over the world, Good Alex found a way to save her family
and humankind, which led to a monumental battle between the two versions
of herself – all atop the Tower of Pisa.Gomez’s breakthrough series “Wizards of Waverly Place” was one of
Disney Channel’s most successful series ever. It premiered in 2007,
became a ratings driver worldwide, reaching over 175 million
unduplicated viewers in 163 countries and 32 languages in its final
quarter on air (1Q12). It inspired “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie,”
which delivered 13.5 million Total Viewers, ranking as the #1 cable TV
movie of 2009 and still the #2 cable TV movie ever (after “High School
Musical 2″).The television special starred Selena Gomez, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer
Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera, David DeLuise and Gregg Sulkin; was
written by Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio (“Wizards of Waverly Place”)
and Dan Berendsen (ABC Family’s “Baby Daddy”), and directed by Victor
Gonzalez (“Wizards of Waverly Place”). Selena Gomez, Cheung, Montanio,
Dan Cross and David Hoge are the executive producers. “Wizards of
Waverly Place” was created by Todd J. Greenwald (“Hannah Montana”) and a
production of It’s a Laugh Productions for Disney Channel.

At 9 o’clock, an all-new “Gravity Falls” soared to a series high in
Total Viewers (4.5 million) and delivered its #2 telecast ever in Tweens
9-14 (1.7 million/7.0 rating) and #3 telecast in Kids 2-11 (2.5
million/6.4 rating).

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television
network that taps into the world of kids and families through original
series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million
U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around
the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.Source: NTI, U.S. early ratings, 3/15/13. 2013 to date: 12/31/12 – 3/10/13, Live + Same Day.

The growth of Disney Channels Worldwide has given the Mouse House a
powerful way to promote Disney to kids and families around the globe.

For nearly eight decades, Disney has relied on films to rally kids
and their families around the Mouse House. But with its core audience
increasingly glued to screens of all sizes, the success of animated hits
such as “Phineas and Ferb” and live-action fare like “Violetta” and
“A.N.T. Farm,” has turned TV into the company’s most powerful brand
ambassador.That’s especially true overseas, where Disney Channels Worldwide —
which operates Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior — has
succeeded in introducing young audiences to the company’s iconic
characters for the first time, or to new franchises that make them loyal
to Mickey and friends for years to come.

“Disney Channel has become the biggest franchise grower for the
company worldwide,” Jay Rasulo, the Walt Disney Co.’s chief financial
officer, said last fall at the Bank of America/Merrill Lynch Media,
Communications and Entertainment Conference in Beverly Hills. “It used
to be (film) animation, but the amount of time kids spend in front of
the TV and w

Disney has always reached out to kids on TV via shows like “The
Wonderful World of Disney” and “The Mickey Mouse Club,” but Disney
Channels gives it more of a dedicated profile. In fact, given that more
kids tune in to Disney Channels’ shows each day than watch the studio’s
films, the kids cabler has launched more moneymaking properties than the
Walt Disney

Studios over the past five to seven years, Rasulo says.

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels
Worldwide, says that the channel’s ability to reach people in their
homes every day with programming that’s entertaining and uplifting is a
profoundly positive influence in people’s relationship to the Disney
brand. “In many countries, we are a daily 24/7 touch point presenting
the core of all things Disney. It’s hard to imagine a more potent form
of ambassadorship.”

It’s hard to argue with that when you consider the numbers: Disney
Channels’ portfolio, targeting 2- to 11-year-olds, includes 107 channels
in 166 countries, available in 431.3 million households. Not only is
that up 13% from last year, it’s an exponential rise over 2007, when the
division had 54 million total viewers in 20 countries.Viewership is also increasing rapidly. In the fourth quarter of 2012,
620 million total viewers watched the channels around the world, an
improvement of 11% over 2011. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, views are up 20%, another 15% in Latin America
and 10% in Asia over last year. Disney Channel’s top international
markets are the U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Latin America, in that
order.

That kind of growth has made the network’s animated/live-action
programming mix —“Phineas and Ferb,” “A.N.T. Farm,” “Jake and the Never
Land Pirates,” “Sofia the First,” “Shake It Up,” “Good Luck Charlie,”
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and before that, “Hannah Montana,” “The Wizards
of Waverly Place,” and “High School Musical” — international hits,
which has turned its actors and characters into homegrown Disney Channel
stars, and companywide ambassadors to promote everything from Disney’s
films and TV shows to theme parks and mobile apps.

Get kids interested in Marvel’s superheroes or Lucasfilm’s “Star
Wars” at an early age and they may want their parents to take them to
the next films featuring Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Avengers
or Darth Vader.

Disney is revving up its promotional machine to launch 17-year-old
Dove Cameron as its next young icon, casting the “Liv & Maddie”
sitcom topliner in the snowboarding movie “Cloud 9,” co-produced by
Ashley Tisdale and pro-boarder Shaun White.

The market size of its footprint has certainly helped Disney become
more competitive against rival kids cablers like Viacom’s Nickelodeon
and Time Warner’s Cartoon Network, which operate channels in 110 and 170
countries, respectively.

Last year, Disney Channel was No. 1 among kids 2-11, toppling
Nickelodeon’s 17-year record in total day among the largest
advertiser-targeted segment, while it was also tops among kids 6-11 for
the second consecutive year, and for the fourth year among tweens 9-14.

But operating so many channels means keeping tabs on what audiences in those countries want to watch.

“At the end of the day, we look at what makes our audiences similar,
and celebrate that,” says Paul DeBenedittis, senior VP, programming
strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide. “Being a kid and growing up and
coming of age is universal. There might be different components of
what’s happening in a different market, but kids want really funny,
relatable and quality content.”

While many of its U.S. shows are dubbed for foreign territoriessome have been repurposed entirely to cater to local tastes.

For example, Disney Channel in India adapted sitcom “Good Luck
Charlie” with its own local cast, and a new name, “Best of Luck Nikki,”
but is filming the same scripts the U.S. show uses.

It’s similar to how it reworked “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” as “The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir.”

In other territories, Disney Channels is producing its own local-language productions.Music-based teen soap “Violetta” has become a big hit in Latin
America since launching there last year and spinning off a live concert
series. Since then, show has begun airing dubbed versions in Italy,
Spain and Russia, but has not yet bowed in the U.S.“GoalMouth,” a sports-themed show in the U.K. is being eyed as a
format for other regions. And in Russia, programmers are exploring the
launch of original content to complement the U.S. shows it airs.“Hopefully along the way, we will be able to globalize the local and
localize the global,” says Paul DeBenedittis, senior VP of programming
strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide. “Nothing would make us happier
than to have a Disney Russia series be adapted for the U.S. or other
markets.”Disney international chairman Andy Bird expressed similar sentiments
during his opening keynote address this week at FICCI Frames conference,
in Mumbai, India . “There is no international market,” he said. “There
is only a vast collection of diverse and dynamic local markets that
demand individual strategies and relevant products from any business
trying to succeed there.”Disney Channel hits overseas are only now starting to make their way Stateside.In the U.K., “Henry Hugglemonster” debuted on Disney Jr., in
February, made its way to India, and will air on the U.S. channel in
April.“It’s a great example of a project developed in another region that will go global,” DeBenedittis says.In some markets, like Australia where a Disney XD does not currently
exist, “Lab Rats” is a top five series on the Disney Channel.“Because the shows still have the DNA of Disney, they can still work on a Disney Channel,” DeBenedittis says.To help cross over more properties, Disney Channel also has offered shows’ assets to its channels to adapt for their audiences.For “Take Two With Phineas and Ferb,” a talkshow-themed interstitial
that paired the show’s toon stars with celebs like Jack Black, Taylor
Swift and David Beckham, Disney made the animated sequences available
for channels to feature local comedians and athletes like India standup
comedian Cyrus Broacha.Not every show has been a success for Disney, however.Disney XD’s visually impressive and pricey animated series “Tron:
Uprising,” based on the films, struggled to attract the channel’s core
viewers of 6- 11-year-old boys. The series’ tone appealed more to an
older audience that isn’t yet watching the channel.“It did well with many segments of the audience, but missed some of
the key demos,” DeBenedittis says. “It’s one of those examples where if
the bull’s-eye is the Disney brand, and you go into the other rings, you
take some risks in missing the magic of the bull’s-eye. (“Tron:
Uprising” took the right risk and we created a show to be so proud of,
but it hit the secondary ring of the target.”)With a sequel to “Tron: Legacy” in the works at the studio, Disney
Channels plans to eventually bring back “Tron,” but it may not be
returning as the same show, DeBenedittis says.Instead, live-action series like “Pair of Kings,” “Lab Rats,”
“Kickin’ It!” and “Crash and Bernstein” are slowly defining what the
Disney XD brand means.“Live action has really been fueling much of our success,”
DeBenedittis says, since the series have made it easier for young
audiences to connect with the stories and characters, and engage with
the talent playing them. But the company also sees the value of
animation, given that “Phineas and Ferb” struck a chord with its
uber-optimistic themes of imagination, friendship and anything being
possible.While most channels feature a balance of live action and animation, in parts of Asia, toons tend to work better.“Asia tends to be a market that thrived on anime and animation,”
DeBenedittis says. “The live action genre isn’t new, but in the kids
landscape, we’re still showcasing this type of content to an audience
that lives and breathes anime.” As a result, Disney plans to invest more
on local programming in those markets, including Japan.Moving forward, Marvel and Lucasfilm will play a more significant
programming role for Disney XD in the U.S. and some global markets, with
new shows featuring the Avengers, the Incredible Hulk and “Star Wars”
characters. “Ultimate Spider-Man” already is the No. 1 series on XD in
the U.K.The company has pulled the plug on the animated “Star Wars: The Clone
Wars,” which had been airing on Cartoon Network over the past five
seasons, to develop new shows.Marvel and Lucasfilm offer “a world of really magical storytelling
that has spanned generations, and we haven’t even scratched the surface
of what this could mean for us,” DeBenedittis says.Given how quickly its younger auds grow up, Disney’s shows typically have a short life, lasting around four years.“That’s about all we need for kids in the landscape,” DeBenedittis
says, citing the four-year run of “Hannah Montana” as an example of a
series that saw its fanbase grow up and move on to other shows once it
wrappedDisney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie” enters its fourth season in
April. “We will go to season five if there is still more story to tell,”
DeBenedittis says.Still the generational aspect is what helped greenlight “Girl Meets
World,” a spinoff of “Boy Meets World,” that aired on ABC from
1993-2000.“We think there is a whole other generation that is going on the same
journey,” and will watch the updated series featuring the same cast as
parents, with their kids, DeBenedittis says.Because of its success, Disney wants to see its kids cable biz expand
into even more markets in the future. Bob Iger has pushed the growth of
Disney Channels since becoming Disney chairman and CEO in 2005.In 2011, Disney paid $300 million for a 49% stake in Russia’s Seven
TV to launch a free Disney Channel in 40 million homes. Last year, it
spent $375 million to acquire UTV Software

Communications, which produces local programming for Disney Channel India.

While it airs programming blocks featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck
and other characters on China Central Television Network, a new Disney
Channel could launch in China because of the company’s partnership with
Shanghai Radio, Film and Television Development Co., which is involved
with the construction of Disney’s new $3.7 billion park in Shanghai.

“With the addition of some of our Asian-based Disney Channels over
the past few years — specifically Turkey, India and most recently Russia
— we’ve been steadily adding to our distribution reach,” Marsh says.
“The one significant country that remains on our wish list is China.
Having a dedicated Disney Channel there to accompany the launch of
Shanghai

Disneyland, in 2015, represents a huge opportunity.” Marsh adds that the division already has installed a local China-based content creation team whose focus is to develop and produce locally sourced, Disney-branded content for distribution inside China — “content that will proudly showcase what Disney represents for current and future generations,” he says.

Disney also is expanding its digital presence through its Watch apps,
which count 12.4 million downloads, as of February, with users spending
6 billion minutes watching Disney Channel content via live feeds or VOD
on tablets and other mobile devices.“For us it’s really about staying connected to our audience and being
everywhere they are and want to be,” DeBenedittis says. “It’s really
about making sure that there are many different ways of engaging with
our audiences.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Disney Channel have released the official full length trailer for the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie, Teen Beach Movie which premieres July 19.

Starring are Ross Lynch (of Disney Channel’s “Austin & Ally” and
Hollywood Records’ R5) and Maia Mitchell (ABC Family’s upcoming “The
Fosters”) as Brady and McKenzie, surfers who take the last wave of
summer, one that mysteriously takes them into a classic beach party
movie, Wet Side Story. There, it’s surfers versus bikers for control of
the beach hangout…and everyone spontaneously breaks into song and dance.
Brady and McKenzie must try to return to present day, but their lives
may be changed forever when they inadvertently change the movie’s
romantic storyline — and the movie’s handsome surf guy, Tanner, is
falling for McKenzie while biker girl Lela is swooning for Brady.

Discovery Communications and Hasbro have poached Disney Channel/Disney XD executive Nikki Reed as head of programming for their joint venture, rival children’s cable network The Hub,
which is looking to expand into live-action programming. Reed, named
SVP Programming & Development for The Hub, replaces Donna Ebbs, who
served as the first programming chief for The Hub since its October 2010
launch. Ebbs is now transitioning to a consultant and executive
producer role. “Our goal is to utilize my relationships with writers,
producers and talent to grow The Hub’s existing slate of programming and
enhance it with more live-action series,” said Reed, who reports to The
Hub president and CEO Margaret Loesch. Hub’s current lineup is
dominated by animated shows, while Reed’s background is in primarily
live-action programing. For the past three years, she was VP Original
Series, overseeing live-action development for Disney Channel and Disney
XD where she developed Jessie, Austin And Ally, Dog With A Blog, Lab Rats, and Crash & Bernstein.
Before that, Reed, who has 15 years experience as an executive and
producer, was VP Current and Development at Universal Cable Prods. She
also spent five years as a development executive for executive producer
Barry Kemp’s Bungalow 78 Prods while it was based at Touchstone TV and
served as VP Development at Jon Turteltaub’s Junction Entertainment for
Disney Studios.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Bridgit Mendler is only 20 years old and she’s already set to start
season four of her hit Disney Channel sitcom “Good Luck Charlie.” The
actress, who recently released “Hurricane,” the new single from her solo
album “Hello My Name Is…,” stopped by the Wall Street Journal this week
to talk about her acting, her music, and being part of the Disney
Channel empire. Mendler, who has starred in TV movies like “Lemonade
Mouth” and the animated film “The Secret World Of Arrietty,” also
answered a couple questions that readers send us via Twitter. Season
four of “Good Luck Charlie” begins on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT with
special guests The Muppets (Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and
Animal).

This marked the first red carpet event for Liv & Maddie star Dove Cameron (who is appearing in the Ashley Tisdale-produced movie Cloud 9), and she described the experience, saying, "Ever since I was negative 6-years-old, I've wanted to be here in this moment."

That moment included many sneak peeks presented by Gary Marsh,
President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney Channels Worldwide.

Watch the video to get a glimpse at what's in store for Disney Channel, Disney XD, Radio Disney and Disney Junior.

Buoyant after another year of record-setting ratings, Disney Channels
Worldwide affirmed its plan to further build its creative and ratings
strength, its audience engagement and its valuable multiplatform sales
opportunities, today at Disney Media’s 2013-14 Kids Upfront
presentation. Held at New York’s Hudson Theatre, many sponsors and
advertisers attended the event with their children.

The evening included musical performances by the global sensation
Bridgit Mendler (star of Disney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie” and a
Gold-certified Hollywood Records recording artist) and popular actor and
Hollywood Records recording artist Ross Lynch (“Austin & Ally,”
“Teen Beach Movie” and the band R5) who performed his Radio Disney hit
song, “Can You Feel It.” The show opened with a performance by Radio
Disney’s N.B.T. (Next BIG Thing) season five winners Chloe & Halle.
Crash, the mischievous puppet star of Disney XD’s sitcom “Crash &
Bernstein,” crashed the presentation. Special on-stage appearances were
made by teen superstar Laura Marano (“Austin & Ally”) and newcomer
Dove Cameron (of two upcoming Disney Channel projects, the movie “Cloud
9″ and comedy series “Liv & Maddie.”)

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels
Worldwide, said, “We remain focused on delivering distinctively Disney
quality programming to kids and families around world and are
invigorated by the remarkable viewer response we’ve seen across all key
demographics over the past year.”

Marsh announced that the 24-hour Disney Junior channel, which accepts
select sponsorships, will begin reporting Nielsen ratings as of April
1, 2013. The channel marks its first anniversary this month.

The daily Disney Junior block on Disney Channel has emerged as the
leader with four hit series for kids age 2-7 and their parents: “Doc
McStuffins” (cable TV’s #1 series of 2012 among Kids 2-5, Girls 2-5 and
Boys 2-5), “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” and “Mickey Mouse
Clubhouse” (each Top 3 contenders in Kids 2-5 and Boys 2-5) and the new
series “Sofia the First” (the #1 cable TV series for both of its two
months among Kids, Girls 2-5 and the #1 preschooler cable TV series in
Total Viewers and Women 18-49. November 2012′s premiere of “Sofia the
First: Once Upon a Princess” was the #1 telecast in cable TV history in
Kids 2-5 and Girls 2-5, and #1 preschooler cable TV telecast ever in
Total Viewers and Women 18-49).

Marsh also told advertisers that Disney XD will expand its Marvel
Universe programming block with two new animated series, one starring
the hugely popular super hero The Hulk and another starring The
Avengers. For 2012, Disney XD soared to its biggest year in the
channel’s history (including its 10 years as Toon Disney) with original
series including “Lab Rats,” “Kickin’ It” and “Crash & Bernstein,”
and the animated Marvel Universe series “Ultimate Spider-Man.” Disney XD
posted yearly ratings records (in both Primetime and Total Day) in
Total Viewers and its targeted kid and boy demographics, 2-11, 6-14,
6-11 and 9-14, rising by solid margins over year-ago results. Marvel’s
“Ultimate Spider-Man” season two debuted in January 2013 and to date, is
Disney XD’s #1 animated series in Kids and Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11.

At the event, Marsh presented the first in an exciting series of
cartoon shorts starring the endearing, adventurous and funny antics of
Mickey Mouse, one of the most popular characters in the world. Produced
by Disney Television Animation, the “Mickey Mouse” shorts preview
beginning today, TUESDAY, MARCH 12 exclusively on Disney.com and will begin rolling out FRIDAY, JUNE 28 on Disney Channel, Disney.com and WATCH Disney Channel, among other platforms.

Ferro said, “Our programming is woven fully into the lives of kids,
moms, dads and caregivers – who connect with our characters and stories
across Disney Media, linear TV and otherwise. They watch it, listen to
it, play with it and own it.” She continued, “Disney’s WATCH apps are
game changers and provide our clients with another powerful way to reach
our audience and connect their brands to Disney’s quality programming.”

Disney Channel made history with its 2012 #1 rank in Total Day among
Kids 2-11, the primary demographic for advertisers (breaking the
competition’s 17-year record at #1). Disney Channel, which accepts
select sponsorships, was also the #1 TV network in Total Day among Kids
6-11 for the second consecutive year, and was #1 for the fourth year
among Tweens 9-14. In Primetime, Disney Channel was #1 for the twelfth
consecutive year in Tweens 9-14 and for the tenth straight year in Kids
6-11, and was among the Top 2 cable networks in Total Viewers for the
seventh consecutive year. The blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie
franchise produced TV’s #1 movie among Tweens 9-14 for the past 11
years.

The exciting 2013-14 slate also includes new episodes of the hit
sitcoms “Good Luck Charlie,” “A.N.T. Farm,” “Jessie,” “Austin &
Ally,” “Shake It Up” and “Dog With A Blog,” and the animated series
“Gravity Falls” and “Phineas and Ferb” for Disney Channel; and new
seasons of the Disney XD series “Kickin’ It,” “Lab Rats,” “Crash &
Bernstein” and “Ultimate Spider-Man.” The upcoming new projects are:

“Liv & Maddie” (working
title) – 17-year-old newcomer Dove Cameron plays the dual role of
identical twins in this upcoming sitcom. Ms. Cameron will also star in
“Cloud 9,” a Disney Channel Original Movie premiering in 2014 (see
below). The series was created by John Beck and Ron Hart (both of
“According to Jim”). John Peaslee, Andy Fickman (“The Game Plan,” “Race
to Witch Mountain”) and Betsy Sullenger are also executive producers.
Cameron plays identical twins — an outstanding student and school
basketball phenomenon whose popularity is on the rise until her twin
sister, a television star, makes a triumphant return to their Wisconsin
high school. Also starring are: Benjamin King, Kali Rocha, Joey Bragg
and Tenzing Norgay Trainor.

“Star and the Forces of Evil" (working title) – this animated comedy adventure introduces Star
Butterfly, a fun-loving magical teen princess from another dimension who
— after a few bold skirmishes with other-worldly monsters — is sent by
her Royal Parents to live with the Diaz family on Earth. Eden Sher
(ABC’s “The Middle”) provides the voice of the lead character.
Production has begun for a scheduled Fall 2014 premiere. Artist and
writer Daron Nefcy is the series creator and co-executive producer.
Dave Wasson is co-executive producer and director and Jordana Arkin is
story editor. The series is from Disney Television Animation.

"Teen Beach Movie"- the Disney Channel Original Movie
franchise -- which introduced a generation of kids and tweens to movie
musicals -- will premiere the highly anticipated "Teen Beach Movie," a
modern take on classic beach party movies, FRIDAY, JULY 19 (8:00 p.m.,
ET/PT). Starring are Ross Lynch ("Austin & Ally" and Hollywood
Records' R5) and Maia Mitchell (ABC Family's upcoming "The Fosters") as
Brady and McKenzie, surfers who ride the last wave of summer, one that
mysteriously takes them into a classic beach party movie, Wet Side
Story. There, it's surfers versus bikers for control of the beach
hangout...and everyone spontaneously breaks into song and dance. Brady
and McKenzie must try to return to present day, but their lives may be
changed forever when they inadvertently alter the movie's romantic
storyline -- and the movie's handsome surf guy Tanner is now falling for
McKenzie while biker girl Lela swoons for Brady. Also starring are:
Grace Phipps ("The Nine Lives of Chloe King"), Garrett Clayton, John
DeLuca, Chrissie Fit ("General Hospital"), Kevin Chamberlin ("Jessie")
and Steve Valentine ("Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie"). The movie
was directed by Jeffrey Hornaday (Disney Channel's "Geek Charming,"
choreographer of "A Chorus Line," "Flashdance") who also choreographed
with Chris Scott ("Lemonade Mouth," "Step Up 4"). David Buelow ("Bring
It On: Fight to the Finish") is the executive producer and Robert F.
Phillips ("Teen Spirit," "Valkyrie") is the producer.

"Cloud 9"
- multi-talented Ashley Tisdale and snowboarding superstar Shaun White
are the executive producers of this Disney Channel Original Movie, an
exhilarating story set in the world of competitive snowboarding.
Starring Luke Benward ("Girl Vs. Monster") and newcomer Dove Cameron
(who also stars in an upcoming Disney Channel series "Liv & Maddie" -
working title), the movie is scheduled to premiere next winter on
Disney Channel. "Cloud 9" is directed by three-time DGA Award winner
Paul Hoen ("Let It Shine," "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,"). In addition
to White and Tisdale, the movie is executive-produced by Jessica Rhoades
("Under Construction," "Beauty & the Briefcase") and Kirkland
Tibbels.

"Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel" -
the highly-anticipated animated adventure that assembles characters
from two hugely popular Disney and Marvel franchises, "Phineas and Ferb:
Mission Marvel," premieres this summer on Disney Channel and Disney XD.
Marking the first crossover animated special for Marvel and Disney
properties, the epic television event will follow Spider-Man, Iron Man,
Thor and Hulk as they enter Danville after Dr. Doofenshmirtz's latest
"inator" scheme accidentally removes their powers and immobilizes them.
Now it's up to Phineas and Ferb to team up with the Marvel Super Heroes
to help them regain their powers and defeat Marvel Super Villains - Red
Skull, Whiplash, Venom and M.O.D.O.K. - who are working together with
Dr. Doofenshmirtz to use his power-draining technology to create mayhem.
"Phineas and Ferb" creators and executive producers Dan Povenmire and
Jeff "Swampy" Marsh designed Marvel's Super Heroes and Super Villains
including Red Skull, Whiplash, Venom and M.O.D.O.K. to fit the Danville
world of the Emmy Award-winning series. It is a production of Disney
Television Animation.

"Wander Over Yonder"
- premiering in summer 2013, this animated comedy, created, directed
and executive-produced by Emmy-winning producer Craig McCracken ("The
Powerpuff Girls", "Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends"), is about best
friends and epic enemies, set in surreal places across the universe.
Wander is an overly-optimistic intergalactic traveler who, along with
his loyal but bullish steed Sylvia, goes from planet to planet helping
people to live free and have fun, all against the evil reign of Lord
Hater and his army of Watchdogs. The voice cast includes Jack McBrayer
("30 Rock," "Phineas and Ferb"), Keith Ferguson ("Foster's Home for
Imaginary Friends") and Tom Kenny ("SpongeBob SquarePants"). "Wander
Over Yonder" is a production of Disney Television Animation.

"Hulk and the Agents S.M.A.S.H."
- in this never before seen team up of Hulk, his cousin She-Hulk,
A-Bomb, Red Hulk and Skaar, Marvel's mightiest super heroes form an
eccentric family living under one roof, working together to tackle
threats that are too enormous for other heroes to handle. From trying to
house break their giant red pet T-Rex to stopping Ego the Living Planet
from crashing into the Earth, the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. must learn to
balance Hulk-sized action with everyday family-sized problems. The
series premieres SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 (11:00 a.m., ET/PT). Starring are:
Fred Tatasciore as Hulk, Clancy Brown as Red Hulk, Eliza Dushku as
She-Hulk, Ben Diskin as Skaar and Seth Green as A-Bomb. The creative
talents of Paul Dini ("Batman: The Animated Series," "Lost") and Henry
Gilroy ("Star Wars: The Clone Wars") have been tapped for this series.

DISNEY JUNIOR

"Henry Hugglemonster" -
this animated series, premiering in April on the 24-hour Disney Junior
channel, follows the adventures of fun-loving five-year-old Henry
Hugglemonster, the middle child in a madcap monster family. Based on the
book series I'm a Happy Hugglewug by Niamh Sharkey, the series is
produced by Brown Bag Films ("Doc McStuffins"). The guest voice cast
includes Geri Halliwell, Brenda Blethyn and Brain Blessed. Cathal
Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell are the executive producers, along with
Niamh Sharkey. The series is a production of the Brown Bag Films ("Doc
McStuffins").

"Sheriff Callie's Wild West"
- this animated series, debuting in September 2013 on the 24-hour
Disney Junior channel and programming block, is the first western for
preschoolers, with Mandy Moore (Disney's "Tangled") as the voice of a
kitty cat sheriff whose job is to ensure that the town of Nice and
Friendly Corners remains the friendliest town in the West. The series
was created by Denis Morella and George Evelyn and developed for
television by Holly Huckins. Morella, Evelyn and Huckins serve as
executive producers. It is a production of DHX Media in association with
Disney Junior.

"The 7D" - this animated
series presents an innovative, comedic look at the Seven Dwarfs before
Snow White's arrival, this time in a contemporary storybook world
designed for viewers age 2-7 and their families. Slated to debut in 2014
on Disney Junior channels and programming blocks around the world, it
takes place in the whimsical world of Jollywood, where Queen Delightful
relies on the 7D - Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy and Doc
- to keep the kingdom in order. Standing in their way are two laughably
evil villains, Grim and Hildy Gloom, who plot to take over the kingdom
by stealing the magical jewels in the 7D's mine. With seven very
distinct personalities, the 7D always manage to save the day and send
Grim and Hildy running back to their evil lair to try another day. The
executive producer is Tom Ruegger. Alfred Gimeno is the director and
Sherri Stoner is the story editor. The characters are designed by Noah
Z. Jones. The series is from Disney Television Animation.

RADIO DISNEY

Reaching
more than 22 million listeners every week, over 7 million of them Women
18+, Radio Disney is the #1, 24-hour radio network devoted to kids,
tweens and families. It's available on 31 owned terrestrial radio
stations and via RadioDisney.com, Sirius XM satellite radio, iTunes
Radio Tuner, mobile phones, the Radio Disney iPhone and Android Apps,
and the Radio Disney Facebook page. Each year, Radio Disney stations
activate over 5000 local events in markets throughout the country.

Radio Disney Music Awards
- the most popular recording artists among kids and tweens will be
celebrated during this event, SATURDAY, APRIL 27, at Nokia Theatre L.A.
LIVE. Selena Gomez, Cher Lloyd, Bridgit Mendler, Cody Simpson, Austin
Mahone and Coco Jones are scheduled to perform at the event. Recognizing
viewing habits of its young demographic, kids and tweens who utilize
digital platforms and new technology to discover and listen to music,
Radio Disney will present the Radio Disney Music Awards in segments,
across multiple platforms -- on Vevo and on Disney Channel, Radio
Disney, RadioDisney.com and Disney.com.

Radio Disney's NBT (Next BIG Thing) -
entering it sixth season, "N.B.T." is the multi-platform program that
puts the spotlight on young recording artists to provide them with
national broadcast and online exposure, and gives them the opportunity
to perform in multiple cities through a concert tour. Radio Disney and
Disney Channel audiences look, listen and vote for their favorite artist
at RadioDisney.com, Radio Disney's Facebook page and Twitter, and via
text.